Editorial

Dear Insiders,
When large trade shows loom on the horizon, more and more fundamental issues continue to emerge. At the moment, the most discussed issue concerns financing. How long will the markets be able to cope with the increasing number of hotel beds?
Paul Slattery is sceptical. The British transaction and investment expert will explain the reasons for his scepticism in his key note at the opening of the hotel conference on October 8. However, he already provides a foretaste in today's interview with us: in a comparison of the three countries Great Britain, France and Germany, he criticises economic and political developments and does not make a favourable forecast for the coming years until 2020.
At the same time, you will find out about the most recent and newest names for the hotel conference; the participants for the panel discussions are complete now.
Our Austrian correspondent Fred Fettner takes a look at the regional market of Salzburg. The city is finally able to host large conventions for 6,000 participants. However, the MICE organisers have just forecast a decrease in demand.
The Spanish NH Hoteles have drawn up their sustainability concept as a limitless task. Among others, NH Hoteles successfully communicates its environmental management system via a very interactive website. The second portrait in our new series. Our report about the foundation of "Sleep Green" also matches this context thematically. Five hotels, which are pioneers for sustainable hotel operations, are only willing to accept their most trust-worthy European colleagues into this new marketing network.

Hot news: In Cologne, the Public Prosecutor's Office in Cologne has filed proceedings against Anno August Jagdfeld from Fundus for embezzlement. - The full editorial ...

Dear Insiders,
After the Inter Ikea announcements last week, we began to ask ourselves whether this budget hype meant that things really did have to be cheap to succeed in Germany. Beatrix Boutonnet takes a look at investor mood, returns on investment and the ever more restrictive conditions on credit. After the media hype surrounding Inter Ikea last week, it remains to be seen what will come of their plans.
Russian investors too don't like to reveal their hand. In Austria, they are scouring the land for hotels and are stirring things up with temptingly high bids.
Taxes also remain a hot topic in Germany. The President of the German Tourism Association DTV - also a politician - has reinvigorated the discussion surrounding VAT.
With so many developments and ever smaller gaps through which the industry must squeeze, I often ask myself how SMEs can still survive. Yet there are always hoteliers who manage to find their niche, as Hotel Daniel in Vienna demonstrates. Keep your eyes peeled for the hotel with the sailboat on the roof, the grape vines around the door and Room 116 in a caravan.
And last but not least, an announcement of our own: Our joint stand "World of Hospitality" at EXPO REAL has sold out! This year's stand will measure 168 square metres - in recent weeks, Louvre Hotels Group in Paris, Rilano Hotels & Resorts and the WTSH Business Development Corporation and Technology Transfer Corporation of Schleswig Holstein have come on board. The stand will therefore be comprised of 14 partners. We are certain: Munich's real estate and investment fair will continue to develop into an important platform for the hotel industry! – The full editorial…

Dear Insiders,
Ikea announced budget hotels and student flats, however, there is more standing behind them – a strategy even affecting city developments. Ikea rises to the visible investor, but who will operate the hotels? The Ikea plans.
Relief in crisis-shaken Switzerland: Hoteliers may continue to build convert hotel rooms into second flats as well as new residences. With this, they can remain competitive.
How does Starwood Hotels analyse the flood of hypes and trends? Oliver Bonke, Senior VP Marketing from Brussels, describes how they handle the digitization and forge an online and offline bridge to their guests.
Starting today, we will also scrutinize the sustainability strategies of the big chains: As the first, Rezidor introduces its philosophy and activities.
At the Rezidor Carlson Group CEO, Hubert Joly has unexpectedly given notice, but the Board has decided on the successor just as quickly. Among many other news, this stands out: Wilhelm Luxem with the Hotel Excelsior Ernst in Cologne is taking over the management of the famous Baur au Lac in Zurich.
In Paris, a court has ordered that Hilton must vacate the Hotel Arc de Triomphe by the beginning of October – a disaster for the Blackstone subsidiary. In London, IHG, Expedia and Booking.com are fighting against accusations that they have broken the online business rules of competition.
hospitalityInside reports back from the summer break. Should some of the market news seem a little familiar to you, do not be alarmed: We are taking up the most important items of the last two weeks once again so that our article archives remain consistently stocked for you. From today until Christmas, we are once again current for you every Friday! - The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
Do you read eMails on holiday? The 12 top executives we surveyed all read their mails - and have obviously arranged themselves perfectly with their families and colleagues. Only one admits: I'm addicted to the net! Read how your colleagues balance being able to be contacted at all times with their private lives.
I too receive up to 200 eMails everyday, but it has been decided: After today's edition, our editorial and publishing team will switch to "autoreply" for two weeks. hospitalityInside will take a summer break; the next edition will appear on Friday, August 24.
In the background, our technical optimisation will continue for you: Our IT is moving to the "Cloud". There is therefore the risk of problems with eMail; in urgent cases we can be reached by mobile.
In quiet weeks like these, many managers are wondering: How is the hotel market performing, how can you filter more efficiently given the lack of staff? Two articles offer some thoughts on trends in German hotel financing and about the Reiss Profile.
Four further hotel group announced their results for the second quarter, at TUI a decision was taken as to Frenzel's succession, guests at lake hotels in Austria are increasingly staying away, and in Switzerland the mountain regions demand a tourism bank in the pattern of the Austrian bank...
After the summer break, hospitalityInside will move to the end phase for the Expo Real. On page 1 and in the magazine, you will today find the first comprehensive description of the programme for the hotel conference "Hospitality Industry Dialogue" and a short update complete with new photo from the second joint stand "World of Hospitality". - The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
Since the beginning of the year, Rezidor and Carlson have been connected via shares, but also in operational terms. On both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, brands are being newly evaluated. In today’s issue, CEO Kurt Ritter and COO Wolfgang M. Neumann explain this young partnership and its synergy effects in detail. They provide figures and talk about their expectations, agreements and priorities.
Private investors are reviving a Gstaad legend: The Alpina. An African sugar king and a local real estate broker are creating a refuge for the wealthy in typical Swiss chalet style. We paid a visit to the construction site of this 250-million Euro project.
The Geisel family can only dream of such dimensions. Nevertheless, it has been one of the most important hotelier families in Munich for more than 100 years and four generations. Today, they are "glocals" thinking globally and acting locally.
In this way, today's issue closes the circle between quoted companies, major investors, and medium-sized companies. I would like to compare the annual results of the three companies mentioned …
The EU is putting the screws on the fund sector; the German Ministry of Finance is even massively influencing regulation. Beatrix Boutonnet explains the advantages and disadvantages.
Transactions across the hotel sector declined in the first half of the year, Starwood and Wyndham presented their half-year results, and NH is the first chain to introduce WiFi in its hotels all over the world free of charge. - The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
Beginning next Monday, thousands of French hotels will be "illegal": Those who have not acquired the new stars by then may, by law, no longer use the old ones. The government is attacking the hotel industry hard - and apparently also through it. Report from Paris.
Design Hotels continually fascinate me because they are very near to the pulse of the times. Their annual meeting in Berlin was once again a source of inspiration. After already having presented the Future Laboratory's trends, today, we once again take a detailed look into the new, ground-breaking guest survey. And on top of that, how the consortium is increasing its direct distribution.
Pleasing signals in the appreciation of hotels are coming from international investors: In view of the solid performance, they have gradually been enjoying this asset class once again. The new, 2nd "Pan-European Hotel Performance Report" underpins it.
Germany still belongs among the most popular hotel markets. This is also recognised by individual enterprisers: A family from Afghanistan has managed to build up 29 hotels in 20 years - the Novum Group.
Marriott, Rezidor, Accor and Design Hotels have presented their figures for the first half-year in 2012 and for the second quarter; the OEHV has compared online reservation platforms in price and services; the London businessman, Al Jaber is now also experiencing difficulties in France with his JJW Group, and in Germany, the racing paradise Nuerburgring declared insolvency. - The full editorial...

Dear Insiders,
It's always possible to improve: The laser show marking the opening of the Kameha Grand in Bonn two years ago was fascinating. Now, Dormero Hotels has turned the show into a daily light and sound extravaganza. The newly opened Dormero in Stuttgart's Musical Centre now offers an amazing 3D installation, and enormous projections in its multimedia guestrooms. This level of high-tech and multi media is new in Europe's hotel scene, experts say.
Obviously, humanity strives for superlatives. Surfers can now test their skills on a "perfect wave" in a new Sol Hotel in Mallorca. It is part of a new lifestyle party music beach sport concept. Certainly, the island needs the new in order to stay attractive.
Those working in mediation and arbitration in Germany have now also received a legal boost. A new law has been introduced in support of amicable dispute settlement. It would certainly be a good alternative to litigation for fiery hoteliers and hotel owners.
Guests attending the 2nd "Freitagshappen", the exclusive talk round organised jointly each year by Nassauer Hof in Wiesbaden and hospitalityInside, were pensive and self-critical. This time, talks focused on human capital and employers. Managers attending the talk round recognised that their kind are themselves a weak point here. Haystax Executive Recruitment conducted a survey of 100 German top hotel companies for the talk round - and they found a few contradictions. Haystax presents its findings today exclusively for hospitalityInside readers. - The full editorial...

Dear Insiders,
Whilst EU finance ministers struggle to find unity, the Europe‘s hoteliers are working on harmonising their business. The first hotel in Germany has now fixed its "EU hotel stars" to the wall.
Moevenpick Hotels has given the term "sustainability" a global framework - and massively involved its staff. Only after completing relevant training may a hotel submit an application for Green Globe certification. The Swiss are taking a more comprehensive approach. They know that organic pens and fairtrade coffee aren't enough to change the world.
Spreading their 48 hotels across six countries has helped to shield the Fiesta Hotels Group from the fallout from the economic crisis. They are now set to polish their broad brand portfolio, become more luxurious and gain new pizzazz with music hotels.
Europa-Park Rust has attracted the whole world. It may be difficult to believe but with four million visitors per year, the entertainment park close to Freiburg is the biggest seasonal amusement park in the world! Entrepreneur Roland Mack will open his fifth hotel on the site next Thursday. Mack, this year also President of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions says: Amusement parks are currently booming!
And other news: Poland's tourism industry has positive news after Euro 2012. Hotel investors in Germany were cautious in the first half-year, and Schoerghuber reveals key figures after giving up its own hotel operator group. - The full editorial...

Dear Insiders,
Life in the digital bubble is soon becoming reality. But it's bitter that the baby boomer generation are no longer included among those target groups mentioned by trend researchers of Future Laboratory... The only comfort in their speeches at the annual Design Hotels meeting in Berlin: The 25+ generation may well be hip and digitally well versed, but the 45+ age group still has the money. And all trends provoke countertrends.
Six Senses has always been on the look out for the real and authentic. After the company's final split, Bernhard Bohnenberger, President of the "new" Six Senses group, today describes how it intends to act in a "financially sustainable" fashion.
Our correspondent, Sarah Douag, met COO of Fraser Hospitality: The serviced apartment professionals from Asia are increasingly looking towards continental Europe. In France, the new French President Hollande has moved aggressively against the hotel industry.
In Prague, the first - of soon to be ten planned - Fusion Hotels has opened: A hotel/hostel concept with impressive design and unconventional ideas. Mercure has this week presented its new room refurbishment programme "Dedicaces".
And last but not least, we report on EXPO REAL 2012: At the "World of Hospitality" joint stand, there remains place for just one co-exhibitor. We have added a meeting option to the packages for logo partners now. The 157 sq.m. stand will this year be twice as big as it was at its premier last year. Eleven internationally renowned hotel operators, consultancies and a finance company will use our trade fair platform to document their "standing" in the real estate and investment world. More on "Network". - The full editorial …

Dear Insiders,
Just as Egypt so desperately needs tourism, a study announces that Egyptians don't like tourists. Yet the readiness of travellers to leave their cultural habits behind is also limited. "The big misunderstanding" as we call our article today should provide food for thought for all hoteliers before the great travel wave begins. Wherever they are, hoteliers are required as inter-cultural managers.
Mentalities are also different in Hong Kong and Frankfurt. For this reason, pentahotels are pursuing a different expansion plan in Asia than in Europe. By 2020, the aim is to grow from 15 to 80 hotels. Managing Director Peter Voit explains the strategy and development priorities.
Relais & Châteaux has had enough of the German snail's pace. Now, it has taken the acquisition of new members into its own hands. 100 hotels have also joined in a special conference guide.
US hoteliers and investors have still not regained their former pace, though the signals are currently all green. In particular, the luxury hotel industry has begun a new boom. Nevertheless, the positive announcements hide less positive news: Macy Marvel takes a closer look at occupancy, RevPar and the pipeline of the US hotel industry.
A new young investor stirs up Vienna, TUI invents a new tour operator brand for the very wealthy and Six Senses Founder Sonu Shivdasani intends to restrict expansion to residence resorts in future. And last but not least, the final separation of the former Six Senses Resorts & Spas into the Soneva Group and Six Senses Hotels was also sealed by contract on Wednesday. - The full editorial …